seek

verb

\ˈsēk

sought\ˈsȯt

\; seeking

Definition of seek

transitive verb

1 : to resort to : go to

2a : to go in search of : look for

b : to try to discover

3 : to ask for : request seeks advice

4 : to try to acquire or gain : aim at seek fame

5 : to make an attempt : try —used with to and an infinitive governments … seek to keep the bulk of their people contented— D. M. Potter

intransitive verb

1 : to make a search or inquiry

2a : to be sought

b : to be lacking in critical judgment … they were sadly to seek — The Times Literary Supplement (London)

Other Words from seek Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about seek

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Choose the Right Synonym for seek

seek, search, and hunt mean to look for something. seek may be used in looking for either material or mental things. She's always seeking new friends. I seek the truth. search is used when looking for something in a very careful, thorough way. We searched all over the house for the letter. hunt is used for a long pursuit. I hunted all day for the right present.

Examples of seek in a Sentence

The office is seeking a salesperson. The prince is seeking a wife. Snakes seek the sun to warm their bodies. You should visit your doctor and seek his advice. You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any chest pain or shortness of breath. The church is seeking donations. He sought revenge for his son's murder. During the war, she sought asylum in Spain. They sought refuge in Canada. The company is seeking new ways to improve service.

Recent Examples on the Web

The zoning board postponed its decision until Our Place could meet with neighbors to seek possible solutions, and also to give it time to complete a traffic study, which was completed in April, D’Angelo said. — Kathy Routliffe, chicagotribune.com, "Program for developmentally challenged teens seeks approval to continue at Wilmette church," 13 July 2018 And in a letter dated June 19, the three congressmen wrote to President Donald Trump seeking his help. — Chris Fuchs /, NBC News, "U.S. citizen arrested during protest in Vietnam scheduled to stand trial," 13 July 2018 If at the end of the study the requirements for a traffic light are met, then approval would be sought from the Illinois Department of Transportation to install a traffic light. — Jessie Spangler, Aurora Beacon-News, "Sugar Grove Village Board discusses need for traffic study for proposed stoplight," 13 July 2018 Wyllie said the subdivision was seeking an R-2 setback for some 83 houses with three-car garages, which would modify one of the subdivision’s original commitments. — Michelle L. Quinn, Post-Tribune, "Traffic concerns put up new roadblock for planned 212-lot Crown Point subdivision," 13 July 2018 But there is no reason to think the court would seek to adjudicate in such a crisis by reaching for Mr Dershowitz’s stringent constitutional interpretation. — The Economist, "The case against impeachment," 12 July 2018 State Police did not immediately return a call seeking comment. — Alejandro Serrano, BostonGlobe.com, "Truck jackknifes on Mass. Pike near Palmer," 13 July 2018 Police are seeking a younger white male, about 6 feet, with short hair. — Nancy Daly, Cincinnati.com, "Boone sheriff's office seeks to ID 'bandage bandit'," 13 July 2018 Trump will seek one anyway, hoping to solve some of the most intractable conflicts with one of America’s least trustworthy adversaries in a flashy one-day event. — Nina Jankowicz, The New Republic, "Available in Helsinki: the Fate of Eastern Europe," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'seek.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.